Fast read speed memory device

ABSTRACT

A memory cell includes a first resistive memory element, a second resistive memory element electrically coupled with the first resistive memory element at a common node, and a switching element comprising an input terminal electrically coupled with the common node, the switching element comprising a driver configured to float during one or more operations.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/022,508, filed Sep. 16, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/521,126, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/948,044, filed Apr.9, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,388,375, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/338,872, filed Oct. 31, 2016, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,941,005, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/987,309, filed Jan. 4, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,490,009,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/210,085,filed Mar. 13, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,230,641, which claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/794,872, filed Mar. 15,2013. The contents of the above-referenced applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

We disclose a memory device and, more particularly, a fast read speedmemory device.

BACKGROUND

Non-volatile memory devices that retain stored data in the absence ofpower are pervasively used in many electronic products. Unfortunately,many non-volatile memory devices have limitations that make themunsuitable for use as primary storage for these products includinghigher cost and lower performance when compared to volatile memorydevices such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Examples ofnon-volatile memory devices include read-only memory (ROM), flashmemory, ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), resistive randomaccess memory (RRAM), phase change memory, and the like. RRAM, inparticular, has recently gained development momentum. Many RRAM cellshave high resistances that lead to low power write or program operationsat the expense of low read speed. FIG. 1 is a diagram of an RRAM cell100 comprising one transistor 102 and one resistor 104, hence the 1T-1Rmoniker commonly used to denote RRAM cell 100. RRAM cell 100 may have alow ON resistance (or low resistance state LRS), e.g., 1MΩ, and a highOFF resistance (or high resistance state HRS), e.g., 10MΩ. Such high ONand OFF resistances in a read path lead to low sense currents, e.g.,from tens of nanoamps to hundreds of nanoamps, which, in turn, result inlow read speed. Many applications executing on electronic products,however, require low read latency (i.e., fast read speed) and high readbandwidth. A need exists, therefore, for an improved memory devicehaving a fast read speed.

BRIEF DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a memory cell.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an embodiment of a memory cell according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the memory cell shown in FIG. 2 in a first stateduring a read operation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the memory cell shown in FIG. 2 in a second stateduring a read operation.

FIGS. 5A-5C are diagrams of embodiments of a first memory element and asecond memory element along with corresponding characteristiccurrent/voltage graphs.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the memory cell shown in FIG. 2 during a writeoperation.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the memory cell shown in FIG. 2 during an eraseoperation.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an embodiment of a memory array including thememory cell shown in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an embodiment of a memory cell according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an embodiment of a memory cell in a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of the memory cell shown in FIG. 10 showingconditions which result in oxide breakdown.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the memory cell shown in FIG. 11 including atristate driver to avoid oxide breakdown.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams of embodiments of a memory cell accordingto the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of an embodiment of a field programmable gate arraylook-up table according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of an embodiment of a memory cell according to thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams of an embodiment of the memory cell shownin FIG. 15 .

FIG. 17 is a diagram of an embodiment of a memory cell 200 arranged as aNAND string according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of an embodiment of NAND string 1700 shown in FIG.17 during a write operation.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of an embodiment of NAND string 1700 shown in FIG.17 during an erase operation.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are diagrams of an embodiment of NAND string 1700shown in FIG. 17 during a read operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 2 , a memory cell 200 comprises a first memory element202, a second memory element 204, and a switching element 206. Firstmemory element 202 and second memory element 204 may be electricallycoupled to a common node 208. First memory element 202 or second memoryelement 204 may comprise non-volatile memory of any technology,including resistive memory technology that retains stored information inthe absence of power. Examples of non-volatile resistive memorytechnology include magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM),ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), resistive random accessmemory (RRAM), phase change memory, and the like.

First memory element 202 and second memory element 204 may comprise acomplementary memory cell as explained in more detail with reference toFIGS. 5A-5C in which first memory element 202 comprises a polarity thatis opposite or complementary to that of second memory element 204.

In an embodiment, first memory element 202 comprises a first terminal216A and a second terminal 216B. Likewise, second memory element 204comprises a third terminal 218A and a fourth terminal 218B. First memoryelement 202 may be serially-coupled to second memory element 204 byelectrically coupling first terminal 216A to third terminal 218A, withcommon node 208 interposed therebetween. In an embodiment, secondterminal 216B is configured to receive a write word line WrWL whilefourth terminal 218B is configured to receive a write bit line WrBL froma host or other control circuitry (not shown).

Switching element 206 comprises a control terminal 210, a drain terminal212, and a source terminal 214. Control terminal 210 may be electricallycoupled to common node 208. In an embodiment, drain terminal 212 isconfigured to receive a read word line ReWL and source terminal 214 isconfigured to receive a read bit line ReBL. Switching element 206 maycomprise any type of switching technology, e.g., metal oxidesemiconductor (MOS) and the like. Switching element 206 may comprise ap-channel metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) transistor having a gate as acontrol terminal 210.

In an embodiment, switching element 206 comprises a floating orelectrically isolated well, source, drain, or a combination thereof toavoid oxide breakdown as a result of high voltages applied during writeor erase operations.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the memory cell 200 shown in FIG. 2 in a firststate during a read operation. FIG. 4 is a diagram of the memory cell200 shown in FIG. 2 in a second state during the read operation. Certaincontrol signals are applied to first memory element 202 or to secondmemory element 204 in memory cell 200 to read a value stored therein, towrite a value thereto, or to erase a value therefrom. Control circuitrythat generates these certain control signals are well-known to a personof ordinary skill in the art and will not be discussed in any furtherdetail herein.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , first memory element 202 is configured toreceive a write word line WrWL, e.g., a ground voltage, at secondterminal 216B. Second memory element 204 is configured to receive awrite bit line WrBL, e.g., a source voltage VDD or source voltage VDDplus a threshold voltage Vth, at fourth terminal 218B. Switching element206 is configured to receive a read word line ReWL, e.g., source voltageVDD, at drain terminal 212. Switching element 206 is configured to reador sense a bit line ReBL at source terminal 214 to determine a valuestored in memory cell 200.

Referring to FIG. 3 , first memory element 202 is in a first or offstate (HRS high resistance state) and, therefore, will exhibit highimpedance, e.g., 100MΩ. Since second memory element 204 comprises apolarity that is opposite or complementary to that of first memoryelement 202, second memory element 204 will be in a second or on state(LRS—low resistance state) and exhibit low impedance, e.g., 1MΩ. Firstmemory element 202 and second memory element 204 form a resistor dividerwith the voltage at common node 208 driving control terminal 210 ofswitching element 206. In the exemplary memory cell 200 shown in FIG. 2, therefore, the voltage at common node 208 will be substantially thevoltage at fourth terminal 218B, e.g., VDD or VDD+Vth. The presence ofsource voltage VDD or source voltage plus the threshold voltage VDD+Vthat control gate 210 will turn switching element 206 on allowing sourceterminal 214 to receive a current produced by the source voltage VDD atdrain terminal 212 to thereby enable downstream control circuitry (notshown) to sense the value stored in memory cell 200. A person ofordinary skill in the art should recognize that the control circuitry tosense currents or voltages from memory cells is well-known and will notbe described herein.

A read path between the read word line at drain terminal 212 and theread bit line at source terminal 214 does not include either firstmemory element 202 or second memory element 204, i.e., the read pathdoes not include a high impedance memory element, which results infaster read speed during a read operation of memory cell 200.

In FIG. 4 , first memory element 202 is in the second or on state (LRS)and, therefore, will exhibit low impedance, e.g., 1MΩ. Since secondmemory element 204 comprises a polarity that is opposite orcomplementary to that of first memory element 202, second memory element204 will be in the first or off state (HRS) and exhibit high impedance,e.g., 100MΩ. Since first memory element 202 and second memory element204 form a resistor divider with the voltage at common node 208 drivingcontrol terminal 210 of switching element 206, the voltage at commonnode 210 in FIG. 6 will be substantially the voltage at first terminal216B, e.g., ground. Having a ground voltage at control gate 210 willturn switching element 206 off resulting in no current flowing from thesource voltage at drain terminal 212 to source terminal 214 to therebyenable downstream control circuitry (not shown) to sense the valuestored in memory cell 200.

FIGS. 5A-5C are diagrams of embodiments of first memory element 202 andsecond memory element 204 along with corresponding characteristiccurrent/voltage graphs. In an embodiment, first memory element 202 andsecond memory element 204 may comprise a complementary memory cell inwhich first memory element 202 comprises a first polarity that isdifferent from or complementary to a second polarity of second memoryelement 204.

First memory element 202 may comprise a titanium nitride 402, hafniumoxide 404, titanium 406, and titanium nitride 408 (TiN/HfOx/Ti/TiN)stack. Second memory element 204 may comprise a complementary stack of atitanium nitride 410, titanium 412, hafnium oxide 414, and titaniumnitride 416 (TiN/Ti/HfOx/TiN). A person of ordinary skill in the artshould recognize other possible combinations of materials that may beused in the manufacture of first memory element 202 or second memoryelement 204.

First memory element 202 exhibits the current/voltage characteristicsshown in FIG. 5A. Initially, first memory element 202 will be in a highresistance state (HRS) at 420 until the voltage across first memoryelement 202 reaches a positive switching threshold at 422. At thatpoint, first element 202 may change from the HRS at 420 to a lowresistance state (LRS) at 424 as the electrical resistance drops and theconductivity increases abruptly. First element 202 may remain in the LRSat 424 regardless of the direction of the voltage changes across it atleast until the voltage across first memory element 202 reaches anegative switching threshold at 426. First memory element 202 may changefrom the LRS at 424 to the HRS at 420 as the electrical resistanceincreases and the conductivity decreases abruptly. First element 202 mayremain in the HRS at 420 regardless of the direction of the voltagechanges across it at least until the voltage across first memory element202 reaches the positive switching threshold at 422.

Second memory element 204 exhibits the current/voltage characteristicsshown in FIG. 5B. Since second memory element 204 comprises a secondpolarity different than or complementary to the first polarity, secondmemory element begins in the LRS at 424. If the voltage across secondmemory element 204 reaches a positive switching threshold at 422, secondmemory element 204 changes from the LRS at 424 to the HRS at 420. Secondmemory element 204 may remain in the HRS at 420 regardless of thedirection of the voltage changes across it at least until the voltageacross second memory element 204 reaches a negative switching thresholdat 426. At that point, second element 204 may change from the HRS at 420to the LRS at 424 as the electrical resistance decreases and theconductivity increases abruptly. Second memory element 204 may remain inthe LRS at 424 regardless of the direction of the voltage changes acrossit at least until the voltage across second memory element 204 reachesthe positive switching threshold at 422.

FIG. 5C is a graph of the current/voltage characteristics associatedwith the serial coupling of first memory element 202 and second memoryelement 204. The applied voltage is divided into two voltages appliedacross first memory element 202 and second memory element 204, with thegreater portion of the voltage being applied across the element havingthe higher resistance.

When the voltage applied across first memory element 202 reaches a firstswitching threshold Vth1 at 430, first memory element 202 switches fromthe HRS at 436 to the LRS at 432. Since both first memory element 202and second memory element 204 have low electrical resistance, the totalresistance of the series circuit abruptly decreases and the slope of thecurrent/voltage characteristic curve increases. Second memory element204 switches from the LRS at 432 to the HRS at 436 when the voltagereaches a second switching threshold Vth2 at 434. At this point, thetotal resistance of the series circuit abruptly increases and the slopeof the current/voltage characteristic curve decreases.

Two negative switching thresholds also exist. When the voltage appliedreaches a third switching threshold Vth3 at 438, second memory element204 switches back to the LRS at 440. Since both first memory element 202and second memory element 204 have a low resistance, total resistance ofthe series circuit abruptly decreases and the slope of thecurrent/voltage characteristic curve increases. First memory element 202switches from the LRS at 440 to the HRS at 436 when the voltage reachesa fourth switching threshold Vth4 at 442. At this point, the totalresistance of the series circuit abruptly increases and the slope of thecurrent/voltage characteristic curve decreases.

The region between first switching threshold Vth1 and second switchingthreshold Vth2 and the region between third switching threshold Vth3 andfourth switching threshold Vth4 represents a read operation window. Whenthe voltage applied is in the read operation window or at least within apredetermined margin of the read operation window, first memory element202 or second memory element 204 may be read. The predetermined marginmay be used to account for manufacturing and other variability in themanufacture of first memory element 202 or second memory element 204.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the memory cell 200 shown in FIG. 2 during awrite operation in which a value is written, stored, or otherwiseprogrammed in first memory element 202 or second memory element 204.During the write or program operation a write word line WrWL at firstterminal 216B may be set to a first voltage, e.g., ground. A write bitline WrBL at fourth terminal 218B may be set to a second voltage, e.g.,a voltage equal to or greater than second switching threshold Vth2.Under such conditions and since first memory element 202 and secondmemory element 204 are complementary or of opposite polarity, secondmemory element 204 will be programmed to the second or on state (LRS)while first memory element 202 will be at the first or off state (HRS).

To avoid oxide breakdown in switching element 206 due to the high writevoltages applied during the write operation, control terminal 210, drainterminal 212, source terminal 214, or a combination thereof may be leftfloating or otherwise may be electrically isolated from first memoryelement 202 or second memory element 204.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the memory cell shown in FIG. 2 during an eraseoperation in which a value previously written to, stored in, orprogrammed in first memory element 202 or second memory element 204 iserased. During the erase operation, a write word line WrWL at firstterminal 216B may be set to a first voltage, e.g., ground. A write bitline at fourth terminal 218B may be set to a second voltage, e.g., avoltage equal to or less than a threshold voltage Vth4. Under suchconditions and since first memory element 202 and second memory element204 are complementary or of opposite polarity, second memory element 204will be erased to the first or off state (HRS) while first memoryelement 202 will be at the second or on state (LRS).

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an embodiment of a memory array including thememory cell 200 shown in FIG. 2 . Referring to FIG. 8 , an array 800comprises a plurality of memory cells 200 arranged in a cross pointarray including plurality of columns and a plurality of rows. Eachmemory cell 200 comprises a first memory element 202, a second memoryelement 204, and a switching element 206. Each memory cell 200 may beelectrically coupled column-wise to a corresponding write bit line,e.g., WrBL1, WrBL2, and the like, and a corresponding read bit line,e.g., ReBL1, ReBL2, and the like. Each memory cell 200 may beelectrically coupled row-wise to a corresponding write word line, e.g.,WrWL1, WrWL2, and the like, and to a corresponding read word line, e.g.,ReWL1, ReWL2, and the like. To effectuate the read operation, write bitlines WrBLs and write word lines WrWLs are connected to source voltageVDD and ground, respectively, similar to the read operation shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 . Array 800 may be a single or multiple layers in a threedimensional memory stack, such as described in co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 11/342,491 to Norman and U.S. application Ser. No.12/653,852 also to Norman, both assigned to Unity SemiconductorCorporation and both incorporated herein by reference.

An alternative embodiment of a memory cell according to the presentdisclosure is shown in FIG. 9 . Like memory cell 200, memory cell 900comprises a first memory element 202 and a second memory element 204.First memory element 202 and second memory element 204 may beelectrically coupled to a common node 208. First memory element 202 orsecond memory element 204 may comprise any type of non-volatile memorydevice of any technology that retains stored information in the absenceof power. In an embodiment, first memory element 202 may beserially-coupled to second memory element 204 through common node 208.First memory element 202 may comprise a polarity that is opposite orcomplementary to that of second memory element 204.

Switching element 206 comprises a control terminal 210, a drain terminal212, and a source terminal 214 as with memory cell 200. Control terminal210 may be electrically coupled to common node 208. In an embodiment,drain terminal 212 is configured to receive a read word line ReWL andsource terminal 214 is configured to receive a read bit line ReBL.Switching element 906 comprises a control terminal 910, a drain terminal912, and a source terminal 914. Source terminal 914 may be electricallycoupled to common node 208. Switching element 206 or switching element906 may comprise any type of switching technology, e.g., metal oxidesemiconductor (MOS) and the like. Switching element 206 or switchingelement 906 may comprise a p-channel metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS)transistor. A control signal received at control terminal 910 from ahost or control circuitry (not shown) will turn on switching element 906to enable sequentially writing to first memory element 202 or secondmemory element 204.

FIG. 10 a diagram of an embodiment of a memory cell 200 in afield-programmable gate array (FPGA) according to the presentdisclosure. An FPGA may comprise a plurality of memory cells 200comprising first memory element 202, second memory element 204, andswitching element 206. FPGA may be an integrated circuit designed to beconfigured by a customer or a designer after manufacturing—hence theterm “field-programmable.” The FPGA may be configured using specializedcomputer languages, e.g., hardware description language, and maycomprise a large number of logic gates and memory blocks to implementcomplex digital computations. These logic gates and memory cells 200 maybe interconnected using pass transistors whose gates are driven bymemory block outputs. The general structure and operation of the FPGAexclusive of memory cell 200 is well known to a person of ordinary skillin the art and will not be discussed in any further detail.Incorporating memory cell 200 in the FPGA may allow for a dramaticreduction of both die size and power consumption as well as allow forthe elimination of off-chip memory as is often required for SRAM-basedFPGAs.

Referring to FIG. 10 , memory cell 200 may comprise first memory element202, second memory element 204, and a switching element 206. Firstmemory element 202 and second memory element 204 may comprise acomplementary memory cell where first memory element 202 and secondmemory element 204 are electrically coupled to common node 208. As withthe memory cell 200 shown in FIG. 2 , first memory element 202 or secondmemory element 204 may comprise non-volatile memory of any technologyincluding resistive memory technology and first memory element 202 maycomprise a polarity that is opposite or complementary to that of secondmemory element 204. First memory element 202 may be asymmetric relativeto second memory element 204 to provide flexibility for operating theFPGA. Unlike the memory cell 200 shown in FIG. 2 , terminal 216B offirst element 202 is configured to receive a left bit line BL-left andterminal 218B of second element 204 is configured to receive a right bitline BL-right from a host or other control circuitry (not shown).

During a read operation, first memory element 202 and second memoryelement 204 are configured as a voltage divider with common node 208driving control terminal 210 of switching element 206. Table 1 showsexemplary conditions during the read operation.

TABLE 1 Pass transistor BL-Left BL-Right RRAM 1 RRAM2 V_(mid) forrouting READ VDD GND ON (1M) OFF (100M) VDD ON OFF (100M) ON (1M) GNDOFF

During a write or an erase operation, switching element 206 comprises afloating or electrically isolated well, source, drain, or a combinationthereof to avoid oxide breakdown as a result of high voltages appliedduring the write operation or an erase operation. Switching element 206may be a PMOS or NMOS transistor formed using a twin well process or atriple well process, which are known to a person or ordinary skill inthe art. In an embodiment, the FPGA may further comprise programmingtransistors (not shown) that are of a higher voltage rating than thosenecessary for FPGAs not including first memory element 202 and secondmemory element 204. The programming transistors may be shared betweenseveral memory cells 200 in FPGA. Table 2 shows exemplary conditionsduring write or erase operations.

TABLE 2 BL-Left BL-Right RRAM 1 RRAM2 WRITE >V_(th2) GND OFF ON ERASE<V_(th4) GND ON OFF

Referring to FIG. 11 , drain terminal 212 may be electrically coupled toa driver 1002 and source terminal 214 may be electrically coupled to aload 1004. During a write operation, source terminal 214 may be at avoltage, e.g., a ground voltage, which may cause oxide breakdown of gateterminal 210 of switching element 206. Including a tristate driver 1006as shown in FIG. 12 avoids the oxide breakdown of control terminal 210.Tristate driver 1006 allows body, source terminal 214, drain terminal212, or a combination thereof to float during the write operation tothereby avoid damage switching element 206.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams of embodiments of a memory cell accordingto the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 13A, memory cell 1300 maycomprise first memory element 202, second memory element 204, and aswitching element 1306. First memory element 202 and second memoryelement 204 may comprise a complementary memory cell where first memoryelement 202 and second memory element 204 are electrically coupled tocommon node 208. As with the memory cell 200 shown in FIG. 2 , firstmemory element 202 or second memory element 204 may comprisenon-volatile memory of any technology including resistive memorytechnology and first memory element 202 may comprise a polarity that isopposite or complementary to that of second memory element 204.Switching element 1306 may comprise an input terminal that iselectrically coupled to common node 208, a first terminal that iselectrically coupled to switching element 1308, and a second terminalthat is electrically coupled to switching element 1310. During write orerase operations, terminal 216B of first memory element 202 may receivea corresponding write signal, e.g., WL1, WL2, and the like, whileterminal 218B of second memory element 204 may receive a bit linesignal, e.g., BL1. During the read operation, terminal 216B of firstmemory element 202 and terminal 218B of second memory element 204 may beconfigured to receive voltages to that select the memory cell 200, e.g.,terminal 216B may receive a voltage VDD and terminal 218B may receive aground voltage GND.

Switching element 1308 may comprise a control terminal electricallycoupled to a program enable signal PROG EN 1312. Switching element 1310may comprise a control terminal electrically coupled to an inverseprogram enable signal/PROG EN 1314. Switching element 1306 may comprisea tristate driver with a gate or well that is left floating during thewrite or erase operation to avoid oxide breakdown based on programenable signal PROG EN 1312 and inverse program enable signal/PROG EN1314 turning on or off switching elements 1308 and 1310, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 13B, memory cell 1320 comprises the same components ofmemory cell 1300, except that switching element 1316 includes twoadditional devices 1318 relative to switching element 1306 that latchthe read or sensed value from first memory element 202 and second memoryelement 204. Additional devices 1318 may be smaller relative to thedevices comprising switching element 1316, e.g., additional devices 1318may have gates with a smaller width to length ratio because they do notneed to supply as much current as the devices comprising switchingelement 1316. The devices comprising switching element 1306 may belarger to supply more current to the multiplexer tree receiving inputs1402 shown in FIG. 14 . First memory element 202 may receive a word linesignal WL at terminal 216B and second memory element 204 may receive abit line signal BL at terminal 218B during a program or erase operationsand voltages VDD and GND, respectively, during a read operation.Switching element 1316 may be a CMOS cross-coupled latch.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of an embodiment of an FPGA look-up table accordingto the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 , memory cell1300 may be used as a building block in an n-bit FPGA look-up table(LUT) 1400. LUT 1400 may comprise inputs 1402 configured to read memorycells 1300 during the read operation based on input signals 1402. LUT1400 may comprise a plurality of memory cells 1300, each memory cell1300 configured to receive a corresponding write line signal, e.g., WL1,WL2, and the like, at a terminal 216B of first memory element 202. Eachmemory cell 1300 may also be configured to receive a common bit linesignal, e.g., BL1, at a terminal 218B of second memory element 204.During the write or erase operation, switching elements 1306 float basedon the program enable signal PROG EN 1312 and inverse program enablesignal/PROG EN 1314.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of an embodiment of a memory cell according to thepresent disclosure. FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams of an embodiment ofthe memory cell shown in FIG. 15 . Referring to FIGS. 15, 16A, and 16B,a memory cell 1500 may comprise first memory element 202, second memoryelement 204, switching element 206, and a switching element 1506. Firstmemory element 202 and second memory element 204 may comprise acomplementary memory cell where first memory element 202 and secondmemory element 204 are electrically coupled to common node 208. As withthe memory cell 200 shown in FIG. 2 , first memory element 202 or secondmemory element 204 may comprise non-volatile memory of any technologyincluding resistive memory technology and first memory element 202 maycomprise a polarity that is opposite or complementary to that of secondmemory element 204.

Switching element 206 may comprise a control terminal 210 that iselectrically coupled to common node 208. Switching element 1516 maycomprise a first input electrically coupled to common node 208 and asecond input electrically coupled to a word line signal WL. Switchingelement 1506 may be constructed of polysilicon atop a tungsten wiringlayer or an n+ doped region of a substrate as is shown in more detail inFIG. 16A. Switching element 1506 may alternatively be constructed usingselective epitaxial growth atop n+ single crystal silicon regions asshown in more detail in FIG. 16B. Terminal 216B of first memory element202 may be electrically coupled to a left bit line signal BL-left andterminal 218B of second memory element 204 may be electrically coupledto a right bit line signal BL-right. Switching element 1506 may be usedduring verify and read-after-write operations.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of an embodiment of a memory cell 200 arranged as aNAND string according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 17 ,a plurality of memory cells 200A, 200B, and 200C may be arranged as aNAND string 1700. Memory cell 200A may comprise first memory element202, second memory element 204, and a switching element 206. Memorycells 200B and 200C may have a construction similar to that of memorycell 200A. First memory element 202 and second memory element 204 maycomprise a complementary memory cell where first memory element 202 andsecond memory element 204 are electrically coupled to common node 208.As with the memory cell 200 shown in FIG. 2 , first memory element 202or second memory element 204 may comprise non-volatile memory of anytechnology including resistive memory technology and first memoryelement 202 may comprise a polarity that is opposite or complementary tothat of second memory element 204. Switching element 206 may comprisecontrol terminal 210 that is electrically coupled to common node 208.Terminal 216B of memory cells 200A, 200B, and 200C may be electricallycoupled to a common write bit line signal WrBL. Terminal 218B of memorycell 200A may be electrically coupled to a corresponding write word linesignal WrWL1. Similarly, terminals 218B of memory cell 200B and memorycell 200C may be electrically coupled to corresponding write word linesignals WrWL2 and WrWL3, respectively.

A terminal 212A of memory cell 200A may be electrically coupled to aterminal 214B of memory cell 200B. A terminal 212B of memory cell 200B,in turn, may be electrically coupled to a terminal 214C of memory cell200C. A terminal 212C of memory cell 200C may be electrically coupled toreceive a read bit line signal ReBL.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of an embodiment of NAND string 1700 shown in FIG.17 during a write operation. FIG. 19 is a diagram of an embodiment ofNAND string 1700 shown in FIG. 17 during an erase operation. Referringto FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 , a value may be written to or erased from memorycell 200A using a variety of biasing schemes, e.g., a ⅓ biasing schemein which write word signal WrWL1 is set to three times the voltage ofwrite word signals WrWL2 and WrWL3 as shown in FIG. 18 . Read bit linesignal ReBL may be set to ground or left floating during the writeoperation.

For example, to write to memory cell 200A, write bit line WrBL may beset to 0V, write word signal WrWL1 may be set to 6V, and write wordsignals WrWL2 and WrWL3 are each set to 2V. Read bit line signal ReBLmay be set to float.

For another example, to erase memory cell 200A, write bit line WrBL maybe set to 6V, write word signal WrWL1 may be set to 0V, and write wordsignals WrWL2 and WrWL3 are each set to 4V. Read bit line signal ReBLmay be set to float.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are diagrams of an embodiment of NAND string 1700shown in FIG. 17 during a read operation. Referring to FIGS. 20A and20B, during the read operation, a selected memory cell 200A is biasedsuch that a voltage at node 208 changes based on the state of firstmemory element 202 and second memory element 204. Switching element 206is on or off depending on the voltage at node 208. In an embodiment,switching element 206 turns on when the voltage at node 208 is above athreshold voltage for switching element 206 or turns off when thevoltage at node 208 is below the threshold voltage for switching element206. Switching element 206 of memory cell 200C closest to the read bitline signal ReBL may operate as a select gate for the string comprisingselected memory cell 200A. In an embodiment, read bit line ReBL mayprovide a fixed bit pattern to thereby turn on switching element 206 ofmemory cell 200C and select string 1702 comprising selected memory cell200A while turning off switching elements 206 in unselected string 1704.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that they may makemany changes to the details of the above-described memory device withoutdeparting from the underlying principles. Only the following claims,however, define the scope of the memory device.

What is claimed is:
 1. A memory cell, comprising: a first memory elementhaving a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the firstterminal is electrically coupled to a common node, and wherein thesecond terminal is electrically coupled to a left bit line signal; asecond memory element having a third terminal and a fourth terminal,wherein the third terminal is electrically coupled with the firstterminal of the first memory element at the common node, and wherein thefourth terminal is electrically coupled to a right bit line signal; anda switching element comprising a control terminal electrically coupledwith the common node, wherein during write and erase operations theswitching element comprises an electrically isolated well, source,and/or drain configured to float.
 2. The memory cell of claim 1: whereinthe first memory element is a first resistive memory element; andwherein the second memory element is a second resistive memory element.3. The memory cell of claim 1: wherein the first memory element has afirst polarity; and wherein the second memory element has a secondpolarity different than the first polarity.
 4. The memory cell of claim1, wherein the first memory element is asymmetric relative to the secondmemory element.
 5. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein: the switchingelement is a transistor; and the control terminal of the switchingelement is a gate of the transistor.
 6. The memory cell of claim 5,wherein: the transistor is a PMOS or NMOS transistor formed using a twinwell process or a triple well process.
 7. The memory cell of claim 1,wherein: during a read operation, the first memory element and thesecond memory element are configured as a voltage divider with thecommon node driving the control terminal of the switching element.
 8. Amethod for reading a memory cell, wherein: the memory cell comprises: afirst memory element having a first terminal and a second terminal,wherein the first terminal is electrically coupled to a common node, andwherein the second terminal is electrically coupled to a left bit linesignal, a second memory element having a third terminal and a fourthterminal, wherein the third terminal is electrically coupled with thefirst terminal of the first memory element at the common node, andwherein the fourth terminal is electrically coupled to a right bit linesignal, and a switching element comprising a control terminalelectrically coupled with the common node; and the method comprises:configuring the first memory element and the second memory element as avoltage divider with the common node driving the control terminal of theswitching element, applying a source voltage as the left bit linesignal, and applying a ground voltage as the right bit line signal. 9.The method of claim 8: wherein the first memory element is a firstresistive memory element; and wherein the second memory element is asecond resistive memory element.
 10. The memory cell of claim 8: whereinthe first memory element has a first polarity; and wherein the secondmemory element has a second polarity different than the first polarity.11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: turning on the switchingelement.
 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: turning off theswitching element.
 13. A method for writing a memory cell, wherein: thememory cell comprises: a first memory element having a first terminaland a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is electricallycoupled to a common node, and wherein the second terminal iselectrically coupled to a left bit line signal, a second memory elementhaving a third terminal and a fourth terminal, wherein the thirdterminal is electrically coupled with the first terminal of the firstmemory element at the common node, and wherein the fourth terminal iselectrically coupled to a right bit line signal, and a switching elementcomprising a control terminal electrically coupled with the common node,wherein the switching element comprises an electrically isolated well,source, and/or drain; and the method comprises: allowing theelectrically isolated well, source, and/or drain of the switchingelement to float, applying a ground voltage as the right bit linesignal, and applying a voltage as the left bit line signal, wherein thevoltage is greater than a positive threshold voltage.
 14. The method ofclaim 13: wherein the first memory element is a first resistive memoryelement; and wherein the second memory element is a second resistivememory element.
 15. The method of claim 13: wherein the first memoryelement has a first polarity; and wherein the second memory element hasa second polarity different than the first polarity.
 16. A method forerasing a memory cell, wherein: the memory cell comprises: a firstmemory element having a first terminal and a second terminal, whereinthe first terminal is electrically coupled to a common node, and whereinthe second terminal is electrically coupled to a left bit line signal, asecond memory element having a third terminal and a fourth terminal, thethird terminal is electrically coupled with the first terminal of thefirst resistive memory element at the common node, and wherein thefourth terminal is electrically coupled to a right bit line signal, anda switching element comprising a control terminal electrically coupledwith the common node, wherein the switching element comprises anelectrically isolated well, source, and/or drain; and the methodcomprises: allowing the electrically isolated well, source, and/or drainof the switching element to float, applying a ground voltage as theright bit line signal, and applying a voltage as the left bit linesignal, wherein the voltage is less than a negative threshold voltage.17. The method of claim 16: wherein the first memory element is a firstresistive memory element; and wherein the second memory element is asecond resistive memory element.
 18. The method of claim 16: wherein thefirst memory element has a first polarity; and wherein the second memoryelement has a second polarity different than the first polarity.